Doughnut machine



Dec. 17, 1935.

' C. E. CARPENTER El AL DOUGHNUT MACHINE 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed4 March 28, 1955 m//r/ Sterf/le Y @@J Mlm Dec. 17, 1935. C, E CARPENTER Er AL 2,024,428

DOUGHNUT MACHINE Filed March 2B, 1935` 2 Sh ee1',s-Shee*\l 2 9. umu

m o J Zw m wrww o, M nE..C,. e V www fmw f@ CII Patented Dec. 17, 1 935 entre DOUGHNU'E MACHINE Charles E. Carpenter and David B.' Scoville, Crystal Lake, Ill.; said Scoville assignor to said Carp enter i V(Application March 28, 1935, Serial No. 13,413

18 Claims. (C1. 10'7-1-1) This invention relates to doughnut machines and more particularly to the cutting mechanism of such a machine. The cutter herein described is adapted to be used with any type of doughnut machine and may, if desired, be incorporated in the machine shown in Patent 1,641,118, granted August 30, 1927, to Charles E. Carpenter. The invention hereinafter described provides a cutter which is simple, cheap to manufacture and which is adapted to operate with a minimum amount of disturbance to the dough batch.

Previous machines have been provided with cutters which have had piston mechanism reciprocable inthe dough batch, Yresulting in an undesirable agitation of the dough. Furthermore, such cutters, have a large number of operative and movable parts in the dough, and are difficult to clean.

An object of this invention is to devise a'cutter with a minimum number of operating parts, which will create little or no agitation whatever in the dough batch. A further object is to devise such a cutter-having adjustments which may be readily changed, so that the size and consistency of the doughnut blank may be varied within wide limits. An additional object is to devise a cutter which will be cheap to manufacture, will have a long useful life which has a minimum of movable parts and which may be disassembled for cleaning and reassembled with little trouble. A further object is to devise a cutter wherein a single shell functions to suck the dough in from the main dough batch and thereafter eXpels a suitable doughnut blank. Other and additional objects will become apparent as the description proceeds. Y

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is an elevation View inrsection on line I--I of Figure 3. Figure 2 is a detail. Figure 3 is a view partly in section, looking down upon the machine, taken along line 3 3 of Figure l. Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the cutter taken Yon line 4-4 of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a sectional View along the line 5-5' of Figure 3. Figure 6 is a View along line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a detail of a modified form of valve` and Figure 8 is a detail similar to Figure 2 but with the mechanism Ydifferently adjusted.

While the drawings do not show a complete doughnut making machine, including the frying pan and turning mechanism, it is understood, of course, that the structure hereinafter described may be used in connection with any such mechanism and more particularly with the mechanism disclosed in the hereinbefore referred to patent.

Mounted on' a base plate I of iron or some suitable metal is a hollow sleeve 2, supporting at its upper end a hopper 3. This hopper may have 5 its top open or closed and may be steadied by a plate 5.

Hopper 3 is provided with a discharge throat which is adapted to rest on or be secured to sleeve 2, so as to telescope therewith. The en- 10 tire mechanism may be suitably supported on plate I by means of a ange 'l on sleeve 2.

Sleeve 2 has a cylindrical chamber I0 therein, in which there is disposed a thin cylindrical shell I2. Cylindrical shell I2 is adapted to be recip- 15 rocated longitudinally of sleeve v2 vand bears against the inside wall of sleeve 2 and a bearing sleeve I3 disposed on the inside of throat 6. Bearing sleeve I3 is preferably formed with an v enlarged lip I4 at the bottom thereof, fitting into 20 a suitable channel in throat 6 to lock the same in p1ace. The inside surface of sleeve 2, together with the inside sleeve of bearing sleeve I3 forms a smooth, cylindrical chamber within which shell I2 may be reciprocated. 25

It will be noted that shell I2 is somewhat shorter than the combined lengths of sleeve 2 and throat 6. At its upper end shell I2 carries a valve seat l5. Valve seat I5 is provided with an opening I5 giving access to the interior of shell I2. 3o The inside surface Il of valve seat I5 is the Valve seat proper and is preferably formed as an annular spherical surface. Carried by shell l2 Y within the upper portionV thereof, is a spider 2B,

having a centrally disposed bearing 2|. This 35 bearing carriesa pin 22, freely slidable therein and at the upper portion of the pin there is mounted a mushroom valve 25. Mushroom valve 25 is formed as a spherical surface, and when raised, is adapted to seat against surface I1 and 40 seal shell l2 at the upper portion thereof.

The bottom of sleeve Z is provided with an opening Sil here sho-wn as circular and somewhat smaller in diameter than the inside wall of sleeve 2 although, of course, this is not important. i5 nto opening 3E! cylindrical sleeve 3l is disposed in any suitable fashion, such as by screw threads on both members. The upper end of small sleeve Slis provided with a spider 33, which supports an elongated rod 35 in the center of said sleeve, 50 The bottom of rod 35 carries a doughnut cutter 3S, consisting of a dished metal member supported at the central portion of the convex side as shown in the drawings. It will be noted that Y cutter 36 extends a substantial distance below the 55 bottom end of small sleeve 3| and together therewith forms an annular discharge opening.

Small sleeve 3| preferably has its outer surface machined to provide a smooth bearing surface on which is slidably mounted a small valve shell 38. The bottom edge 39 of valve shell 38 is tapered to a cutting edge and is adapted to be reciprocated up and down along the outside of shell 3| toward cutter 36 and away therefrom forming in effect a discharge valve for the extrusion of doughnut blanks.

In order to reciprocate shell I2, sleeve 2 is provided with two diametrically opposed longitudinal slots 40 and 4| which expose the outer surface of sleeve I2. Rigidly carried by sleeve I2 on these two exposed surfaces, are pins 42 and 43, adapted to project beyond sleeve 2. Engaging pins 42 and 43 are two forked ends of arms 45 and 46 of a fork 41. This fork is pivotally mounted at 48 by means of a pivot pin 50, passing through suitable apertures in a support 5I rigidly bolte'dtobase plate I'.f"

In order to actuate fork 41, the two arms 45 and 48, at anV intermediate point thereof, are rigidly'joined by means of a pin 52 to a cam follower`55, disposed around a cam "56. Cam follower 55 prferably has oneedge 51, overlapping the side of cam 56, and is locked in place over cam 55 by means of a spring ring 5 8 on the other side of thiscam. L

Cam 58 is rigidly mounted upon a shaft 60, journaled in bearings' 6| andBZ, mounted uponbase plate I. The endx of shaft 68 carries a sprocket 63, whichis rotated by any suitable source of power, sueh'as an electric motor'and sprocket chain.

'adjustment for fork 41 is provided in the form of a plurality-#here shown as threeapertures 6 5, 86 and 61, through fork 41. When fork 41 is in ithe position shown in Figure 1, these aperf tures coincide with lsimilar' apertures in support 5|.' As shown, aperture 8 5 is actually used as the ivt poit'by havingpin 50, passed therethrough. However, by shifting this Vpin to either of the other apertures, it is clear that the 'reciprocatory movement of shell I 2,`will be adjustably varied as far as its upper limit of travel isconcerned. 'The lower limit 'of travel will remairi'the same under all conditions dueto the collinear position of the various pivot positions and actuating point.

` 'In order;` to actuate sleeve 38,'a` fork 10, having arms 1I"an'd 12, is proyide'd. These amis have forked endswhich are adapted to engage pins'13 and 14, rigidly fastened to opposite sides of sleeve 38. Fork 10 is pivotally mounted at 15 by means of a bracket 16, bolted to the lower sideof base plate I. As indicated inFigvure 3,"bracket 16 vis offset from bracket 5 I.

'Fork 10 is oscillated about its pivot 15 by means Of'a crank'11l` pivotally mounted at 18 to fork 10. Crank 11 Ater'minatesat its upper end in a block 8U 'provided with an interior slot 8|.

Within' slot 8 a movable 'block 82 is slidably mounted. \This block 82 is provided in the lower portion thereof' with a lateral cavity 83 and at its upperportin has' an interior channel 84 drilled out." channel is preferably'ta'pped.' Block 83"'is adjustably mounted within interior slot 8| b'y means of a'bolt 85 which'is screwed into channel 84. Bolt 85 is 'supported at portion 86 of block 8D land is locked against downward displacement by means of a lock nut 81 and against upward displacement by nut 88.

'Block 80"'also has a lateral channel 90 in the lower portion thereof, this channelbeing similar in siz'tgfriaapei sa. Bloei: s'o isalsp provided with a circular cutout 9 I, therethrough, in which region shaft 60 is adapted to rotate. Shaft 60 carries a cam 92 adjacent to block 88. A pair of pins 94 and 95 are rigidly mounted in channels 83 and 9D of block 88. Each of these pins carries a roller 96 5 and 91, which bears against diametrically opposed points on cam 92.

It is clear that when cam 92 tends to push roller 91 downwardly as viewed in Figure 5, that block and rod 11 will be moved downwardly. When lo the cam is in its opposed position, with its high side above shaft B8 as in Figures 2, 5 and 8, block E!) will be moved upwardly. By adjusting the position of slidable member 82 in block 80, the position of roller 96 with relation to cam 92 is l5 altered, with the result that the entire vertical position of `block 80 vis adjusted with respect to cam 92. Thus, if block 82 is pulled upwardly as in Figure 8, roller 96 is pulled upwardly reducing the rise of roller 96 when the cam strikes it. It is 20 evident that block 82 tends to remain by virtue ofthe friction in the mechanism at the position last'atta'ined, in this'instance the lowerrnost position.l Since lower roller 91 has no adjustment, it is clear'that block 80 will travel between a xed 25 lower and adjustable upper limit.

The motion of block 88 is transmitted through rod 11 and pin 18 vto fOfik 90'and operates sleeve 38' between a xed lower'liniit shown in Figure 4 and an adjustable upper limit as shown in Fig- 30 ure l. l

The varying degrees of adjutment for sleeve I2 are shown by arrows, A, Band C, which indicate 'where the three center lines from possible pivot points5, 65 and 81, all passing through the same center 'point Iggy, intersect the center line of shell I2.h

The twoadjustments, D and E, are shown i'or the lower .Sleeve 38 "'Iri Figure 7, a modification is shown wherein 40 shell itisl provided with a dome shaped head' I2', having a'pluralitybf p orts I I3 on the sides thereof. As vshell I2 'moves' downwardly, ports ||3 are closed by sleeve I3. Obviously'inoperation shell I 2 and valve shell 38 are so moved relative to each 45 other' matt/hen Osten i2 is 'moved toward the hopper, valve shell 38 remains'in closed position. When shell l2 is1 withdrawn away from the hopper, Valvegshell 38 yis opened, the full opening preferably occurring 'nea'rthe end 'of the withdrawal 50 stroke 'of shell I2. Cam' 92 is suitably shaped so that when shell l2 beginsto reverse and move toward the hoppr, valve shell 38 is quickly closed. As previously pointed out, shell I2 communicates with the h opp'er'orily during its stroke toward 55 the hopper.

The dismantling of the machine for cleaning is rendered convenient by the d etachability of the pivot pins' 'and'backing off of the two forks from their respective pins. l"The entire mechanism may 50 then be easily vtaken apart. The same is true of the'reverse assembly process.

vWhat we claim is 1. A machine for forming doughnut blanks comprising a hopper adapted to contain a quan- 05 tity of dough, a discharge throat for'sa'id hopper.

a hollow member Vslidably mounted in said throat, and"inovable lengthwise thereof, means for reciprocating said member to induct a quantity Of dough therein at one portion of its travel. 70 a valve at the inlet side of said member'adapted to be open during the induction portion of the travel of said member and being adapted to close said member from'the hopper side during the remainder'of the travel of said member, an an-Y 75 nular discharge passage communicating with said hollow member, a valve controlling said annular passage and means whereby said valve is open when said rst valve is closed ,and closed when said rst valve is open. Y

2. A doughnut cutter comprising a hopper adapted to contain a quantity of dough, said hopper terminating in a throat, a hollow cylindrical member mounted in said throat and adapted to move lengthwise therein toward and away from said hopper, a valve mounted at the hopper side of said member and adapted to open when said member is projected toward said hopper and to close when said member is withdrawn therefrom, a discharge passage communieating with said hollow member, Va valve for opening and closing said passage, said passage being annular for forming doughnut blanks, and means for operating said second valve, so that said second valve opens only when said hollow member Ymoves away from said hopper and is closed when said hollow member moves toward said hopper.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein means are provided for varying the range of travel of said hollow member, said entire adjustment only operating on the end position of the hollow member nearest the hopper.

li. A doughnut machine cutter comprising a hopper adapted to contain a quantity of dough, said dough remaining in said hopper under normal atmospheric pressure at all times, a discharge throat for said hopper, a hollow cylindrical member longitudinally movable in said throat, a valve carried by the throat end of said Y hollow member, said valve being unbiased and freely movable, whereby on the motion of said member toward said hopper, said valve is op'ened and permits dough to enter said member, and on the retractive travel of said member, said valve is closed, an exhaust chamber at all times cornmunicating with said member having an annular discharge passage, a valve controlling said exhaust passage and means for operating said last named valve in synchronism with said hollow member to open said discharge passage ,only when said hollow member is moving away from said hopper.

5. The structure of claim 4 wherein means are provided for reciprocating said hollow member between a fixed point remote from said hopper and an adjustable point near said hopper.

6. The structure of claim 4, wherein means are provided for operating said hollow member from a ilxedposition remote from said hopper to an adjustable position near said hopper and wherein said last named valve is operated from a fixed closed position to an adjustable open position.

7. A doughnut machine comprising a hopper adapted to contain a quantity of dough, a discharge throat for said hopper, a hollow elongated sleeve disposed adjacent said throat with its channel in line with the throat of said hopper, a hollow member disposed in said sleeve and longitudinally movable therein toward and away from said throat, means for reciprocating said member, a valve carried by the throat end of said member and adapted to give access thereto from said throat and hopper during the movement of said member toward said throat and to close said hollow member upon movement of said member away from saidthroat, a discharge chamber in communication with said hollow member provided with a discharge passage, a

valve for opening and closing said discharge passage and being adapted when open to form an annular discharge opening for shaping doughnut blanks, and means for moving said valve into discharge positionv when said hollow member is -5 movedaway from said throat and into a sealing position when said hollow member is moving toward said throat. y

8. The structure of claim '7, wherein said discharge chamber is inthe form of a cylinder hav- 10` ing an annular discharge opening, and said valve comprises a sleeve slidable over said cylinder.

V9. In a machine for making doughnut blanks the combination of a storage receptacle adapted to hold a supply of dough, a. chambered mem- 15 ber having an intake valve and an exhaust valve, said exhaust valve being adapted to shape a quantity of dough into a doughnut blank, means for moving at least a portion of said chambered member into said dough supply to fill said mem- 20,"

ber with dough and means for retracting said portion of said member from said dough supply and simultaneously expelling a doughnut blank from said exhaust valve.

l0. In a doughnut making machine, the com- 253' bination of a storage receptacle for holding a dough supply, a chambered member having an intake opening and an exhaust opening, said last named opening being annular in shape for discharging a formed doughnut blank, means 3101 for projecting at least a portion of the wall of said member into said dough supply to draw a dough charge into said member and means for expelling a doughnut blank therefrom upon the withdrawal movement. 35

11. In a doughnut making machine, a chamber formed in part at least of two hollow telescoping members, said chamber being provided with an intake valve at one end and an annular discharge opening at the other end, a storage re- 4o ceptacle for holding a dough supply, means for moving one of said telescoping members into said dough supply for filling said chamber, means for covering said annular opening during said filling stroke and means for withdrawing said one tele- 45 scoping member from said dough supply and uncovering said annular opening to discharge a doughnut blank.

12. In a doughnut making machine, an elongated stationary hollow member having an in- 50 take passage at one Vend and an annular discharge passage at the opposite end thereof, a hollow member open at each end thereof only telescopically mounted at each end of said first named member and adapted to reciprocate with 55 respect to each end thereof, the telescoping member at the discharge end being adapted to open and close said discharge passage, an intake valve carried by the intake telescoping member at the outer end thereof, a dough receptacle adjacent 60 said intake passage, means for projecting said intake telescoping member toward said dough receptacle to draw a charge into said rst named member, means to maintain said discharge telescoping member in closed position during the 65 i mote from said dough receptacle to an adjustable point near said .dough receptacle, and wherein adjustable means are provided for moving said Valve telescoping member from a fixed point at which said discharge passage is closed to an adjustable point for forming an adjustable discharge opening.

14. A doughnut blank forming machine comprising a vertically disposed hopper having a discharge throat at the lower end thereof, a hollow cylindrical sleeve below said throat and having a cylindrical channel in line with the discharge throat, a hollow cylindrical shell open at both ends thereof mounted for longitudinal movement within said sleeve, a valve carried by the upper end of said shell adapted to seal said shell and channel from said hopper during downward motion of said shell only, a valve sleeve slidably mounted on the lower end of said sleeve, the lower end of said sleeve being provided with an -annular discharge passage, readily detachable means for reciprocating said shell and sleeve so that said sleeve maintains said .discharge passage open during the downward travel of said shell only, said last means including a pair of forks with prongs embracing said shell and sleeve respectively.

15. The structure of claim 14 wherein one fork is provided with an adjustable pivot point and is actuated at a fixed point, said pivot point being so arranged that the adjustment only affects one end of the range of movement of said fork.

16. The structure of claim 14 wherein both forks are actuated by a pair of cams disposed side by side on one shaft, and adjustable leverage 5 systems connecting said cams and forks for actuating the latter, said adjustments being adapted to start said shell and Valve sleeve from fixed lower and closed positions respectively to adjustable upper and open positions.

17. The structure of claim 14 wherein one fork is actuated by a cam, a follower therefor, and a leverage system including a lost motion device.

18. In a doughnut cutter, a hopper having a discharge throat, a cylindrical shell having a 15 passage in line with said throat, a hollow sleeve in said shell slidable lengthwise thereof, said shell having an open bottom and closed top, ports in the side thereof, said ports cooperating with said throat to be opened in the upward position of said shell, sai-d shell having a discharge opening at the bottom thereof, a valve cooperating with said bottom to form an annular discharge passage in the open position of said valve and means for reciprocating said shell and valve so that said valve is in its closed position when said shell moves toward said hopper and open on reverse movement.

CHARLES E. CARPENTER.

DAVID B. SCOVILLE. 3()V 

